--- title: Soulful eyes description: Every day I come into the office, I look above my desk and say hello to my lady with the soulful brown eyes. image: https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Beatrice-Cenci-portrait-238x300-1.jpg --- # [Vita Brevis A resource for family history from AmericanAncestors.org](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Soulful eyes [August 28, 2020](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2020/08/soulful-eyes) [Critical Analysis](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/critical-analysis), [175th Anniversary](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/175th-anniversary), [Spotlight](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/spotlight), [NEHGS Collections](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/nehgs-collections) [Stacie Madden](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/author/smadden) [![](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Beatrice-Cenci-portrait-238x300-1.jpg?width=238&height=300&name=Beatrice-Cenci-portrait-238x300-1.jpg)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Beatrice-Cenci-portrait-1.jpg)Every day I come into the office, I look above my desk and say hello to my lady with the soulful brown eyes. You might ask, “Who is she?” She is [Beatrice Cenci](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Cenci), a young woman whose portrait is displayed in a beautiful gold leaf frame. She joined my office suite in 2018 and has calmed me in times of stress or when I need a break from staring at a computer screen. I did some research on the Internet and Wikipedia about the ***Portrait of Beatrice Cenci*** after learning a bit about this copy of the painting from [Curt DiCamillo](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/author/cdicamillo/), Curator of Special Collections at American Ancestors and New England Historic Genealogy Society. The painting is attributed to the Italian Baroque painter [Guido Reni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guido_Reni). The painting dealt with the controversial topic of Beatrice Cenci (6 February 1577–11 September 1599), a woman who was executed by Papal authorities, specifically [Pope Clement VIII Aldobrandini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Clement_VIII), for murdering her father, Count Francesco Cenci, after an abusive and incestuous relationship. Her murder trial in Rome gave rise to an enduring legend. Beatrice became a symbol to the people of Rome of resistance to the arrogant aristocracy. It is said that every year, on the eve of the anniversary of her death, she returns to the bridge where she was executed, severed head in hand. ### Beatrice became a symbol to the people of Rome of resistance against the arrogant aristocracy. The artist has been highly debated, with many previous critics assigning the work to [Elisabetta Sirani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabetta_Sirani), depicting Beatrice in the white robes of a Roman Sybil or perhaps a vestal virgin, evoking sympathy. She looks back at us in a melancholy pose. Tradition holds that Guido Reni painted the work for [Cardinal Ascanio Colonna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascanio_Colonna). The debate over the authorship and its influence are as interesting as the work itself. Traditions with no surviving documentation claim Reni entered Beatrice's cell the day before the execution, or saw her on the way to the scaffold. Others claim he was not even in Rome at that date. The earliest Barberini catalogue states it likely depicts the Cenci girl by an unknown painter; only a later one attributes the work to Reni. My lady is part of American Ancestors | New England Historic Genealogical Society’s vast art collection. Restoration work is badly needed. Some say the large cut in her canvas was caused by someone’s knee, others that she was damaged while being moved. She has a few stains on her dress along with a tear, and her frame, although opulent, needs your help! Those soulful eyes express sadness yet peace. She is a calming presence in a sea of uncertainty. She cries out to be saved: if not in her first life, now, here, in her afterlife. Her restoration is estimated at $5,000-$10,000. Please consider a [donation](https://www.americanancestors.org/give) to help this beautiful lady with the soulful brown eyes. ### Share this: - [mailto:?body=https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2020/08/soulful-eyes](mailto:?body=https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2020/08/soulful-eyes) - - - More - - ![Stacie Madden](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/hubfs/Stacie_Madden_Jan25.jpg) ## About Stacie Madden Stacie Madden, Director of Advancement, administers the annual giving program, building key processes and reporting, ensuring accurate advancement operations, facilitating strong advancement and cross-functional communication and transparency to achieve the annual philanthropic goals. She manages the annual fund, portfolio management, prospect research, gift processing, and advancement operations. Prior to joining American Ancestors, Stacie held leadership roles at HopeHealth, IFAW, EMD Serono, Dunkin’ Brands and Reebok. She has a BA, University of Massachusetts Boston and an MBA, Babson College. She is the past President of the Board of Directors for Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and a member the Scituate Beach Commission.[View all posts by Stacie Madden →](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/author/smadden) [← ICYMI: A rehabilitated marriage](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2020/08/icymi-a-rehabilitated-marriage) [Rooted in history →](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/2020/08/rooted-in-history) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ### Recent Posts [Sailor Bill and His Forgotten Wife](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/sailor-bill-and-his-forgotten-wife) [Professor X](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/professor-x) [Part I: Malaga Island, Maine](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/part-i-malaga-island-maine) [The Norwegian folge](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/the-norwegian-folge) [Research…in a Miniskirt? A ‘Style Guide’ to a Genealogist’s Wardrobe](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/research-in-a-miniskirt-a-style-guide-to-a-genealogists-wardrobe) ### Archives - [October 2014 (27)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/10) - [December 2015 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/12) - [July 2020 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2020/07) - [April 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/04) - [July 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/07) - [December 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/12) - [July 2015 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/07) - [March 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/03) - [May 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/05) - [August 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/08) - [January 2018 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2018/01) - [March 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/03) - [August 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/08) - [April 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/04) - [September 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/09) - [October 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/10) - [March 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/03) - [June 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/06) - [August 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/08) - [September 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/09) - [November 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/11) - [December 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/12) - [January 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/01) - [June 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/06) - [November 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/11) ### Categories - [Family stories (1260)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/family-stories) - [American History (1137)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/american-history) - [Critical Analysis (1126)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/critical-analysis) - [Research Methods (881)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/research-methods) - [Brick Walls (674)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/brick-walls) - [Object Lessons (617)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/object-lessons) - [Spotlight (617)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/spotlight) - [Genealogical Writing (554)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/genealogical-writing) - [Research tips (510)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/research-tips) - [Serendipity (479)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/serendipity) - [Road Trips (393)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/tag/road-trips) ### Recent Posts [Sailor Bill and His Forgotten Wife](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/sailor-bill-and-his-forgotten-wife) [Professor X](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/professor-x) [Part I: Malaga Island, Maine](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/part-i-malaga-island-maine) [The Norwegian folge](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/the-norwegian-folge) [Research…in a Miniskirt? A ‘Style Guide’ to a Genealogist’s Wardrobe](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/research-in-a-miniskirt-a-style-guide-to-a-genealogists-wardrobe) ### Meta - [Log in](https://vita-brevis.org/wp-login.php) - [Entries RSS](https://vita-brevis.org/feed/) - [Comments RSS](https://vita-brevis.org/comments/feed/) - [WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/) ### Subscribe to Blog via Email Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. ### Archives - [October 2014 (27)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/10) - [December 2015 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/12) - [July 2020 (24)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2020/07) - [April 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/04) - [July 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/07) - [December 2014 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/12) - [July 2015 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/07) - [March 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/03) - [May 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/05) - [August 2017 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/08) - [January 2018 (23)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2018/01) - [March 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/03) - [August 2014 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2014/08) - [April 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/04) - [September 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/09) - [October 2015 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2015/10) - [March 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/03) - [June 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/06) - [August 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/08) - [September 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/09) - [November 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/11) - [December 2016 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2016/12) - [January 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/01) - [June 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/06) - [November 2017 (22)](https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org/archive/2017/11)